Album Stream: mr. Gnome ‘Madness in Miniature’
While the White Stripes are no longer active, the boy + girl two-piece formula still lives on in Cleveland’s mr. Gnome. They bring a sense of distorted, psychedelic mystery to their sound. A rugged, unpolished rhythm seems consistent in all of their work, but the persistent uncertainty looms as I listen to their latest release on El Marko Records, Madness in Miniature. Listen:
Singer/guitarist Nicole Barille and drummer Sam Meister produce mood swings that, at times, make me feel like I am stuck in the mind of Donnie Darko. Even their album artwork mimics a character that might have been responsible for the take over of Darko’s mind. While the Stripes gave all of their fans a sedative when they announced their retirement this year, bands like mr. Gnome continue to provide wild delusions for supporters of this formula.
Watch mr. Gnome play “Vampires” at Fountain Square’s Radio Radio. Thank you to our friends at MonkeyEatsMonkey for shooting this video.
Connect with mr. Gnome via Twitter | Facebook | Bandcamp.
Written by Brett McGrath
Preview: Tonic Ball X
Tonight marks the tenth annual Tonic Ball in Indianapolis’ historic Fountain Square neighborhood. This year’s festival promises to be the largest in its history, showcasing more than 40 artists at three separate venues. All money from ticket sales supports Second Helpings – a charity organization that provider over 3,000 meals to Indy’s hungriest citizens each day.
The event will kick off with a silent auction at New Day Meadery from 5 – 8 PM. From there, guests will wander toward the tunes. Each of the three venues will feature local artists attempting to create a unique version of songs not their own. Fountain Square Theatre will play host to the Michael Jackson stage, White Rabbit Cabaret will serve as the David Bowie stage and Radio Radio will feature songs by recently disbanded R.E.M.
Indy’s latest and greatest event site Do317.com is powering a nifty schedule that allows attendees to easily map out their scheduled listening for the evening. The music will continue into the wee hours with Hitchhike playing closer at 1 AM at Radio Radio. Tonic Ball promises to be one of the parties of the fall in Indianapolis, and its support of Second Helpings adds another worthwhile reason to attend.
Online sale of tickets are now closed, but a limited number of tickets will be made available at the event itself. Claw, scratch, and elbow folks. Do what you must to get into this event. Just don’t miss it!
Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 
Tonight: The War on Drugs at Radio Radio
The War on Drugs have been buzzing since the release of Slave Ambient earlier this fall. It brings the team at Thought on Tracks great joy to see Bloomington, Indiana based Secretly Canadian continue to pump out great record after great record. Timing is everything in our world. There could not have been a better time for The War on Drugs to hit the indie rock big screen with their recent spot on Pitchfork.tv
Front man, Adam Granduciel declares that they “pretty much try to approach the live version in the same kind of spirit that the recordings are in.” After a couple months of absorbin Slave Ambient, tonight is Indianapolis’ chance to turn off the record player, get in the car, and head out to Radio Radio. From all of our previous posts and this video I believe The War on Drugs spirit will be alive as they “Come to the City.” Purchase Tickets.
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Album Review: The War on Drugs Slave Ambient
Video: The War on Drugs – Copenhagen Sessions
Written by Brett McGrath